Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Found it @Profloundering. Page 56, way off. Linking on the first page now.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kimbo-camper-bs-and-mods.651104/page-56#post-26888188

 

I've just learned from a new Kimbo customer that they now offer 300w of solar. No idea what that looks like.

 

I would guess two 150 watt panels.

 

Finished up a couple small projects on the Kimbo today.
First was replacing the splashy and awkward to use hand pump faucet with a rechargeable battery powered faucet made by Dometic. Very happy with the result. Left the hose a little longer to be able to have it reach out to the tailgate for cooking and doing dishes outside.
Second project was cutting and then filing the bolts behind my storage cubbies. Noticed some wear on the back of a couple of them and discovered they forgot to shorten the bolts behind the cubbies. Easy fix with a cutoff wheel and file. Something you might want to check for on your Kimbo's.

 

Hey gang, it's been a while! Haven't been on too many trips this summer with the Kimbo Unfortunately. Just bought a little condo here in Bend so been busy with home projects + gas prices are still crazy. Fall is looking more promising though!

Question: Has anyone had any luck finding / making a door cover for Winter? Like most, my door completely freezes over and want to try and get ahead of that before pow SZN.

Hope everyone had a good summer

 

Was working on getting a warm window cover for the door (we have all of the fabric already) for that exact reason but lost traction when the weather warmed up...the last trip in the cold we made was with the small fan installed and it helped quite a bit with the temperature stratification and the frost build up on the door. We're going to revisit the door cover soon, so I'll make sure and get pics when we get into the actual making of it.

 

Picked up our Kimbo this weekend! looking forward to some camping sessions.
.
MPG on our 2021 V8 F150 with Kimbo (with jacks-on) at 500 miles driving 70 to 80 mph was about 12.5 (down from 17 MPGs without Kimbo).

 

Well it’s was probably the last trip for fall but got a lot in. Got the rig down one of the most sketchy roads in CO, at least with a Kimbo. Had to deal with some narrow passes with Jeeps in font and behind. Tacoma did well and Kimbo untouched. Would not make it in full size.

Still need to pull footage from my dash cam but the video below has the whole section. 7:21 is very narrow section with the jack stands on. Had to do multiple Jeep passes right after. 4 Low the whole way down. Tires did great, especially on the way up when it got pretty slick with the rain. Never lost traction.

https://youtu.be/LjB-mP7uEis

Camping at the base was amazing and so were the sights. Unfortunately a 4Runner blew out his lower ball joint and needed a tow from the bottom. I’ll be hiking it next time. If you’re stuck behind someone that breaks down, you’ll be spending a night on that road. Decided to leave early the next morning and was much easier heading up with no traffic. Took some more pictures after our first dusting too. Great trip all in all.

 

Love the pics! It's also nice to see they use the "spicy" values on the trails - doesn't leave much for interpretation that way LOL. Good tip on the breakdown - sounds like I-5 but way more scenic.

 

Congrats man! Good timing. Curious how much improvement you'll see around 60-65 mph.

 

Yeah don't think I want to risk a $3K tow either.

 

Absolutely gorgeous pics and setting! Video looked a little spooky at times!

 

Anybody figured these little buggers out? I’ve found a couple of online videos supposedly showing how to “program” them, but it ain’t working for me. I seem to be able to get them into a “motion-activated” mode, but once motion turns them on, they never turn off. Any tips?

 

I was just wondering the same thing, ha!

 

Also - do you all typically run your rigs in tow/haul mode? thanks

 

In my second gen, it just stays in D unless going downhill. Not sure about the 3rd gen Tacoma.

 

For mine, first two are always on. The motion activated, third button push, is the brightest and shuts off after 15-20 sec probably. Then back to off I think.

 

3rd Gen Tacoma - with Kimbo loaded, I use sequential/sport mode to avoid shifting into overdrive (hauling/towing in overdrive is no bueno)

 

Here's the settings for the solar outside lights. I normally keep mine in the 3rd mode and they last all night. From off pushing the button cycles through the 3 light modes and then back to off.

 

Do you have to cover the solar panel with your hand while cycling through the modes?